Painter and Decorator

As a painter and decorator, you would work on a variety of domestic and industrial projects ranging from re-decorating homes to applying heavy-duty finishes to large Domestic Job On a domestic job, you would use paint, varnishes and wallpaper to decorate rooms. You would follow the householder’s instructions about choice of color, finishing texture and wallpaper patterns. Your main tasks would include:

Measuring surface areas to work out how much paint or wall covering you need

Stripping off old wallpaper or paint

Holes and cracks making sure surfaces are level

Preparing surfaces with primer and undercoat

Mixing paint to the right shade, either by hand or using computerized color-matching equipment

Applying layers of paint and hanging wallpaper

Tidying up after finishing a job.

On some jobs you might apply specialist finishes such as rag rolling, graining and marbling. You would often work from ladders or raised platforms to reach ceilings.

Paints and solvents give off fumes, so you may have to wear a protective mask or usefume extraction equipment on some jobs, if in enclosed spaces.

Good practical and creative skills

The ability to work carefully and pay attention to detail

The ability to work alone and as part of a team

A good head for heights and sense of balance

An awareness of health and safety issues.

Working hours and conditions:
You would work around 48 hours a week, Saturday to Thursday. Extra hours may be necessary to meet deadlines